Don’t Scratch the Itch

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

Jack set the soccer ball on the hash mark and readied himself for the penalty shot. It was his favorite part of soccer practice. When Coach Johnson blew the whistle, Jack kicked a rocket into the top right corner of the net. “GOAAAAAL!” he yelled.

He was about to high-five Coach Johnson on his way to the back of the line when he suddenly stopped and began scratching his arm furiously.

“What’s wrong, Jack?” Coach Johnson asked. “Let me have a look.”

“These bumps won’t stop itching,” Jack groaned. “I got poison ivy last weekend.”

“Don’t scratch it,” Coach Johnson said.

“I can’t help it!” said Jack. “I have to scratch. It feels so good!” He was about to scratch some more but stopped when he saw Coach Johnson’s raised eyebrow.

“It may feel good for the moment, but you’re only making it worse. Look how red it’s getting,” Coach said. “You know, Jack, this reminds me of the sermon my pastor gave at church last week. Your rash is a lot like sin.”

“You mean it’s a sin to scratch?” said Jack.

Coach Johnson chuckled. “No, it’s not a sin to scratch. What I mean is that our sinful nature often urges us to do wrong like your bumps urge you to scratch them. What happened at last Saturday’s game when that kid tripped you after you blocked his goal?”

“I went to push him down from behind, but then I stopped and walked away,” Jack said.

Coach nodded. “It would have felt good for two seconds to get him back, but then what?”

“I would’ve gotten kicked out.” Jack looked at his coach. “I’m glad I didn’t scratch the itch to get even.”

Coach smiled. “Our sinful urges will never fully go away until we get to heaven, but because we trust in Jesus, we don’t have to give in to them. He’s given us the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us and gives us power to follow the desires God puts in our hearts instead—desires to love Him and those around us. We don’t have to scratch the itch to do wrong—and even when we do, Jesus promises to forgive us.”

“Okay,” Jack said. “I won’t scratch the itch—whether it’s sin or poison ivy!”

–Robert A. Gutierrez